10. In which city is East Central Railway headquartered?
[RRB NTPC, 26 July 2021]
(A) Hajipur
(B) Patna
(C) Kolkata
(D) Malda
Answer: (A) Hajipur
Explanation: East Central Railway is based in Hajipur, Bihar, near Patna. It is a separate railway zone from Eastern Railway in Kolkata. The distinction is especially relevant when interpreting rail routes through Bihar and West Bengal.
9. Which authority develops and manages major National Highway stretches?
[RRB NTPC, 27 February 2021]
(A) National Transport Authority
(B) National Highways Authority of India
(C) National Road Safety Bureau
(D) Highway Association of India
Answer: (B) National Highways Authority of India
Explanation: The National Highways Authority of India is a statutory body responsible for development, operation and maintenance of assigned National Highways. It functions under the Union road transport ministry, while state road authorities handle other categories of roads.
8. How many trains were flagged off together to connect Kevadia with different destinations?
[SSC CGL 2020-cycle paper, 16 August 2021]
(A) Eight
(B) Six
(C) Seven
(D) Five
Answer: (A) Eight
Explanation: Eight trains were inaugurated in January 2021 to improve connections with Kevadia, near the Statue of Unity in Gujarat. The initiative strengthened rail access to a tourism destination and connected the region with multiple cities.
7. Where was the headquarters of the Central Inland Water Transport Corporation located?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination 2019]
(A) Kolkata
(B) Patna
(C) Guwahati
(D) Varanasi
Answer: (A) Kolkata
Explanation: Central Inland Water Transport Corporation was headquartered at Kolkata, a major historic river port on the Hooghly. Its operations related to inland navigation and cargo movement, particularly within the eastern river systems of India.
6. Where is the headquarters of Eastern Railway?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination 2018]
(A) Ranchi
(B) Kharagpur
(C) Dispur
(D) Kolkata
Answer: (D) Kolkata
Explanation: Eastern Railway is headquartered in Kolkata. It has important passenger divisions at Howrah, Sealdah, Asansol and Malda. Eastern Railway is distinct from East Central Railway, whose headquarters is at Hajipur in Bihar.
5. Which Indian port is regarded as a natural harbour?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination 2017]
(A) Chennai
(B) Visakhapatnam
(C) Haldia
(D) Tuticorin
Answer: (B) Visakhapatnam
Explanation: Visakhapatnam is known for its naturally sheltered deep-water harbour on the Andhra Pradesh coast. Chennai is a constructed harbour; Haldia is a river-estuary port complex. Harbour conditions affect protection, navigation and the development of port infrastructure.
4. In which year was the Darjeeling Himalayan Railway declared a UNESCO World Heritage Site?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination 2014]
(A) 1997
(B) 1998
(C) 1999
(D) 2001
Answer: (C) 1999
Explanation: The Darjeeling Himalayan Railway was inscribed on UNESCO’s World Heritage List in 1999. Its narrow-gauge mountain alignment includes steep gradients, loops and remarkable engineering works. The line became an iconic example of hill railway transport in India.
3. By what name is the Howrah Bridge officially known?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination 2013]
(A) Vidyasagar Setu
(B) Rabindra Setu
(C) Nivedita Setu
(D) Vivekananda Setu
Answer: (B) Rabindra Setu
Explanation: Howrah Bridge over the Hooghly River is officially named Rabindra Setu. It is an important transport link between Howrah and Kolkata. Vidyasagar Setu is another bridge over the river and is popularly called the Second Hooghly Bridge.
2. Which of the following port–state pairs is correctly matched?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination 2009]
(A) Maharashtra — Paradip
(B) Tamil Nadu — Mangalore
(C) Gujarat — Kandla
(D) Karnataka — Tuticorin
Answer: (C) Gujarat — Kandla
Explanation: Kandla Port is located in Gujarat, on the Gulf of Kutch. Paradip is in Odisha, Mangalore in Karnataka and Tuticorin in Tamil Nadu. Each wrongly matched option pairs a port with an unrelated coastal state.
1. Which area of India has been traditionally famous for pearl fishing?
[WBCS Preliminary Examination 2002]
(A) Tuticorin
(B) Kandla
(C) Kochi
(D) Puducherry
Answer: (A) Tuticorin
Explanation: Tuticorin, now Thoothukudi, lies near the Gulf of Mannar off Tamil Nadu. The Gulf’s shallow marine waters have a historical association with pearl oysters and fishing. This maritime activity long predates its modern commercial port development.
